Hello, welcome. Lovely to see you. Pull up a chair. I thought I’d pen a few lines to let y’all know why I’ve been off-grid for months and maybe do a few intros for anyone who’s new around here!
This is the Writewipe blog. Where I discuss how it’s possible to bend space-time and be a full-time carer and a full-time writer and all the fun and antics that entails. If you wanna know what the writey stuff’s like and where to get it, linky here. But all the adventure this autumn has taken place off the page, so I thought I’d bring you up to date with what’s gone on.
What happened?
I’m glad you asked. My youngest (the literal one in a billion child with the rare condition*) had an awful school snot thing** that turned into pneumonia and collapsed lungs. So long story short we’ve been on HDU for 6 weeks on all kinds of drugs and treatments and we’ve come home with a ventilator to use overnight. Which was freaking terrifying at first, but we’re getting used to it.
How is she? Much better now thank you. The overnight therapy is giving her a chance to shift any build-up of CO2 overnight, so she’s waking up much sparkier and is ready for a staged return to school tomorrow. (Despite being non-verbal, she’s a bright kid and bored witless at home.)
Have I Stopped Writing then?
Hell no! Part of my abiding strategy is to be trying to write, even if it’s only bits, every week (haven’t managed every day during the worst of it!) and I even signed up to NanoWrimo2022 . The less perky news is that I’ve only written 5k but I’m piling on and I know where I’m going. More specifically where am I at in the stuff you’re reading from me?
Thriller lovers: Cady Grey Book 2 is what I’m currently writing and that’s what I’m in Nano with. I’m at 35k total, so about half-way through I reckon. I’m aiming to have a first draft done by Christmas. Man, chasing a murderer style books are way harder to write than straight thrillers, but I’m enjoying being back in Cady’s boots again. There might even be romantic interest this time too!
Sci-Fi Dark Universe lovers: if you’re waiting to find out what happens to Dun, Padg, Amber and One Love in their epic clash with humanity, I start Book 4 in the New Year. I’m hoping I might also show up at some Cons next year too, but all that is obviously up in the air, till we know which way is up at home. I’ve still not commissioned the awesome Benny Fife to do the audiobook for Darkest yet (I’m still saving up, buy more books and recommend to anyone who likes!) but coming at some point.
So there you have it. I hope your 2022 has been less of a hellscape–but if it hasn’t, I guess lets stick together and keep all your limbs inside the moving vehicle? More actual news soon, but I can’t announce yet and there’ll be more newsletter antics for anyone that’s on those probably when I have progress to report!
Later gaters.
* CTBP1. It’s a condition that she currently shares with only about another ten kids in the world. It’s a weird situation to be in. Blog post about that here.
** Sneeze into your elbows kids! Or your armpit. Whatever, you do you.
